Internal-combustion engine



l VENTOR WQ BY Wm E3 N2 I9 G1 N Ew. RN Emw. YT Dd. wm LLI n.3 mm E-g mn f IO .M 7 J G 7. 2 lur o 9 J l 7, M/ e e oa m a J J C M Patented June 7, 1927.

PATENT OFFICE.

LEONARD H. -DYER, OF NEXV YORK, N. Y.

INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE,

Original application filed May 29, 1923, Serial No. 642,231.

application lcd August 27, 1925.

The invention relates to internal combustion engines, and is particularly directed to the production of such an engine which will be reversible and will run equally well in either direction. v

The object of the invention is to provide means whereby the reversing may be accomplished from a` point at a distance from the engine on the switch in engines equipped with jump-spark, high tension ignition.

A further object is to produce an auto matic setting of the spark advance or retardation in connection with reversible engines of either four stroke cycle or two stroke cycle type, with jump spark high tension ignition.

A further object is to produce a timing device for reversible internal combustion engines of the four stroke cycle type, in which the spark may be advanced or retarded while the engine is running in one direction and on reversal will be at the same degree of advancement, or retardation, for the new direction.

These and further objects will more fully appear in the following specification and accompanying drawings considered together or separately.

In the accompanying drawings. wherein is illustrated one embodiment of the invention, like parts in all of the several figures are vdesignated by corresponding characters of reference, and in which Fig. 1 is a sideelevation, partly in section, of anengine having a mechanically operated intake valve with jump spark ign ition and embodying' the invention. V

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken on the line 2-2 vof Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a. top plan view, on an enlarged scale, of the interrupter box, showing the parts set for retarded spark.

F 4 is a detail section. on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1 and showing the parts in the same position.

Fig. 5 is a view similar Vto Fig. 3 but with the parts set for advance spark. the valve operating shaft rotating in the clockwise direction.

ln the drawings l designates a cylinder. which may be that of a single cylinder engine. or one cylinder of a multi-cylinder rngine. lVithin the cylinder is the usual piston 1 connected up to a crank 2 of a shaft 3 by means ofthe well known form of con-y 'sion type.

Patent No. 1,560,506. Divided and this Serial No. 52,719.

necting rod 1b. The usual valve operation cam shaft 4 is arranged to turn at half the speed of the crank shaft by means of suitable gearing 5.

The engine is provided with the usual ignition chamber 6 and with an intake valvey 7. exhaust valve S and igniter 48. Both of the valves are mechanically operated and the ignition is of vthe jump sparkhigh ton- The intake valve 7 is moved to open position through a walking beam 10 and rod 11 from either of the intake cams 15 or 1G carried on the cam shaft 1, and to closed position by means of a spring 14. The exhaust valve 8 is moved to open po sition by means lof either of two cams 12 027.13 also on the shaft 4, through rod 17. and to closed position by means of a spring 18. The rod 11 carries a roller 19 working on the cams 15-16, and the rod 17 is provided with a roller 20 working on the cam 12-1 3.

The cams 12. 13 and 15, 16 are carried onq or are integral with, a sleeve 21 which is loosely mounted on the shaft 4 whereby said sleeve may be moved longitudinally of the shaft and also rotate relatively thereto. The sleeve is provided with a peripheral groove y22 for a purpose to be hereinafter described, and is also provided with a short spiral slot 23 into which a pin 24 carried by the shaft projects. The engagement of the pin 24 within the slot 23, which latter is inclined as shown, will move the sleeve longitudinally of the shaft to bringr oneor` the other of the intake cams 15 or 16' into position beneath the roller 19. and the eX- haust cams 12 or 13 into position beneath the roller 20. The sleeve 21 and the elements carried thereby are designed to be of suicient weight whereby the momentum due to rotation in one direction, together with the inertia, will cause theA sleeve to rotate relatively to the shaft when the direction of movementl of the latter is suddenly changed.

Gradual slowing down of the engine. as by throttling, will not cause the sleeve to rotate relatively to the shaft because of the friction between the engaging surfaces turning in the same direction, and there will be constant resistance to change of relative position because of the engagement of the carnswithv the rollers 19 and 2O at every revolution of the sleeve.

It is to be noted that in addition to the sleeve 21 beingf moved longituflina-llv upon the Shaft; it is also capable oit rotation relaA tively to the Shaft-7 and thia muet be taken into consideration in the leen-ione oi the Caine 'relatively to the Slot.

In the embodiment ot the invention ihuatrated. a timing shaft ie effeared to the Shaft el@ as at 2G wherebjlT both sbatte will rotate at the Same Speed. rihe shaft 22? earries, at its upper end. an interriu'iter vain il? located in a bex 29 eurroundiug the top of the Said Shaft. Carried within the boav are two Spring eonl'aeta 29 and il() adapted to make Conti-iet by the engagement o'l" the rain 527 with one ot thorn.

The boxY 2S is adapted lo he rotated relativelv to the shaft wherelfijv the span: mayv be advanced or retarded. ae is: well understood. The ehott 2V ie euri-minded bv a Sleeve Pil, whieh latter carried in beat'- inge 32, and the box QS haa a lnaiingy; on the eha'tt aud is Supported on the top end of the Sleeve. rihe upper end et the Sleeve Carries a Setting; spring; 38 which project@` more or lese rrdiall37 troni the. upper end oi" the Sleeve. The tree end oit the spring` eugages within a slot Set in th down-turned end 35 of an arm 3G rigidli7 seeured lo and ext-endings; radially trom the box,

To the lower end oit the Sleeve Ill clamped, or otherwise Seeured` a radiailj.' extending' arm S7 the 'treo end ot whieh ia Connected b v meana ot a pitinau lo one end of a. lever pivoter at to the wall ol the Crank' Casino'. rlhe opposite end oli the lever 38 extendsA through an oponii i; into the orank easing' and carriea a roller reeling;` in the lgroove Q2 ot the sleeve 2l.. Thin arrangement nrovidee oleane tor merino; the

Sleeve/2i ionlgiwumuy a non um wie@ Cams when the ignition deviree are adiuated. to el'teet the timing-j to Change the direetion of movement, opt the main mnnl? Shaft, Upon the longitudinaly movement ot the rain abeti 21 it is rotated in one direction o1' the other by the Spiral groove 23 and pin Qfl to auto-- matieellv set the paire of eeuu: to properly time the exhaust and inletl 'vr-.lifeQ with reti erenee to the movement oitA the nietoi'i.

Rotatablj7 mounted on an extension /l-l oi: the bearing 29.12 are an advaneed :atop ineinber 4t2, tor eloeliwiee inovomenl'ya and an advanee etop member lf-3 for anti-eloeltwiee movement of the Crank shaft. The inemn bers Carry bloele adapted to cooperate with the down-turned end 35 ot the arm Ulf and determine the limite to which the Setting; Spring; through its engagement with the arm, will oaeillate the box Ztl to'e'eeure the desired aovanee or retardation ot aparlf. The members 4-2 and 4? are geared together as at 44 whereby thev may be moved at equal distances from the medial line. of said. members is provided with an operating;` handle 4,5 whereb)7 when Said member is moved the other will be moved an equal dietanee but in the oppoeite direction. A finger 4:6 earried on the handle member and engaging; a rack if? on the exteneion il acte to retain the members in eet position.

Project-ing into the explosion ehamber 6 is ou igniting` nevieman m'dinari7 eparh plugr tor exau'uile 4S. and Said plug' in an eleotricl Cireuit 49 which includes a Coil 50, a batterj.' 5i.. a. ewiteh 52 and the interruptei contante and 307 aa Shown in Fig. 3.

vln the embodiment oit the invention illustrated. the exhaust ams 1Q and lf3 are appl-eximatelv 15500 apart, the Spiral Slot 23 is about iu extent, and the intake Canio l5 and 'lr6 are eoineident and are about 900 troni the e: ma l2 and i3,

In operation it will be luideretoood thatV the engine eranl: Shatt may he aseumeo to be rnenterv efrluuint and inlet valve Caine lf2-l 5 Y and lil-iti are eo no. tiered with reference to the movenient et the pieton' in the ovlinf der that their respective exhaust and inlet valves are opened and eloeed at the proper momentje. aeeordingr to the Selected or a5'- Sunied direetiou ot rotation ot the eran-lt shaft 5?. lt will he aaeuiuesil that the eranl shaft 3 is: rotating: in a elorkiviee direetion4 thua eaueing the eain shalt 'to more anti@ eloeliwiee and tha the rain sleeve 271. heine' the extren'ie riolit of its movement han rotated the Sleeve 3l Cousine' the eet Spring' 9,3 to move the arm 26 ,l'ainit the A i fl@ i ing the lie/x23 intoithev position shown in 'tull lines. Fin'. 5, wlierehv when the Contact iS made between the eontaeta Q9 and by the Cani QT. the Snailc ie nrodueed in advance position tor one vdirection ot rotation of the erenl ahatt` ll. it ia desired to revereerthe direction ot rotationl ot' the engine the ignition circuit may be opened. ae bv iueane oi a evviteh located at an'v convenient point without disturbing the adjusted poeition ot the eireuit Conta-ets Q9 and Fl Y eireuit the engine speed will eine' down but it the eireuit is now eloeeifl betere the engine has atopped the momentum ot the parte causen the valve Qontrol meehaniein and ignition control devieee lo lie automatiealij; shifted tor Continued rotation in the reveree direction. Upon Gloire' the eireuit an the engine elnekene its epe yd ignition will 'oeeur lielore the aeeending' 'y pieton reaeliee the top of its Stroke eauSi 0' it to he driven down, or Trove ned. thus revereingi' the direetioii ot rotation of the eranh Sha'tt into an antieloelwiee direction. The etteet ot this will be to Cause relative rotation ot the earn shaft @e and its sleeve 2l. That is. the sleeve will continue tor a partial rotation in ite fermerV Upon opening' the lli? direction due to its momentum and its inertiaj While the cam shaft is making its first partial turn in the anti-cloclnviseA direction of? engine movement.- The effect ot the pin Working in the spiral slot 25 n'ill move the sleeve to the lett in Fig. Q, and bring the cams 13 and 1.6 beneath the cam rods 17 and 1l respectively to opera-tethe valves 8 and 'T to correspond with the nen' direction or anti-clockwise direction ot rotation of the crank shaft The movement of the sleeve 2l to the left, as above describen, will rotate the sleeve 31 in a direction, to cause the arm 36 to be thrown into engagement with the stop 43. t'h'us moving the intcrrupter box 28 to the, position shown by dotted lines in Fi 5, and causing the contact-points Q9 and 30 to be shifted so that the spark or time of closing the ignition circuit will be in a corresponding position oli advance ivith rrelation to the piston movement with the crankshaft 3 rotating in the anti-clockwise direction.

To retard the spark the members 42 and 43 are moved toward each other to shift the position o t the circuit contacts 29 andi() relat-ivelj1 to the cam 52T bj. bringing their carrier or box 28 toward the medial line.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to engines having battery ignitioinas illustrated in Fig. Il asf obviously, magneto ignition may be employed.

It is to be further understood that the cams lo an d i6 ma)7 be omitted` and the valve 'i be opened blv the movement ot the incoming mixture on the suction stroke ot the piston. In such an arrangementfthe rod llA and walking beam l0 will be omitted, and the spring 1.4- carried on the top oit the engine and cooperate withthe stem 54 of the intake valve as is common.

YWhile the invention has been illustrated and described in connection ivit-h .an engine of the tour stroke cvcle type, it is to be understood that the samemav be carried out in tivo stroke cycle engines having high tension or jump spark ignition.

113i two stroke-cycle engine ot the three port type will have no valves; one ot the two port type vvill have but one valve to each c vlinder. and that valve will be oit the automatic type. therefore the cams illustrated tor the operation oit the valves in a .tour stroke c vclc type will not be necessary, and the sleeve 2l. .vill be used solely for moving the fixed member ot the interrupt@1 box, to secure the proper timing of spark in both directions ot rotation ot` the engine.

This application is a. divison of inv Copendinu application on which patent No. 1,560,506 Was granted November 3, 1927 ln accordance with the provisions ot the patent statutes the principle of the invention has been described, together with the apparatus which is now consdercd to representfthe best embodiment thereofe but it is desired to have it understood that the apparatus shown is merely illustrative5 and that the invention may be carried out in other Ways. l

The invention having been described what is claimed as neiv anddesired to be secured by Letters Patent. is-

l. In a reversible internal combustion engine of the character described, the combination with` an ignition control mechanism adjustable tov time the ignition in the c vlinder with reference to the position of the piston therein in respect to engine opera-- tion-in onedirection. ol a shitting device controlling the valves to eliect a reversal of the direction of engine operati-on automatically when the engine speed is slacltened bv a temporary cessation of the firing ot' the explosive mixture`v and means controlled b v the engine in rot-ating` in the opposite direc.- tion for shitting the lignition mechanism to control the vengine operation in said opposite direction in the same manner as in the original direction of operation.

2. ln a reversible internal combustion enlcgine of the character described, the conibination with a jump spark ignition system, having control means adjustable to regulate the firing of the explosive mixture with reference to the Vposition of the piston in the cylinder tor the most elective operation of the .engine in one direction, et a switch for openingT and ciosing the ignition circuit, automatic valve control devices actuated upon vthe slaclening of engine speed when said circuit is open to shift the valves and cause the engine to operate inthe other direction upon the closing ot said circuit7 and means controlled by the engine upon its ccmmencime to move .in a reverse direction .tor automaticallj.7 shitting the ignition control means to'likeivise regulate the tiring of the explosive mixture with reference to the position ot the piston in the cylinder and the timed relation of the valve movement upon said reverse'eugine n'iovement.

3. In an internal combustion engine of the character described7 the combination with a jump spark ignition system comprising an engine drivenelement .and circuit contacts movable relatively to said element to advance the spark,` ot n'ianually adjustal'lestops movable in opposite directions with reference to a norn'ial position ot' said contacts to limit their movement, a member actuated lwhen the engine is operating in one direction to move the contacts into engagement with one ot the stops and operating uponthe reversal of engine movement to move said contacts.automatically into engagement with the other stop.

4. In' a reversible internal combustion engine? the combination with an ignition systeml comprising a ,pair of contacts, 'a movable carrier t Le;efor and a rotatable engine driven element for operating the contactsK of a pair of adjustable stops movable toward and from each other with reference to the neutral position of said carrier, an oscil latory member operated in a given direction upon movement of the engine in one direc-- tion, and reversely upon mov-ement of the engine in the other direction and a connec tion between said member and the carrier for moving the latter from engaden'ient with one or said stops into engagement with the other upon reversal of the direction of engine movement.

v5. ln av reversible internal combustion engine, the combination with an ignition system comprisii'ig a pair of contacts, a movable support therefor antl a rotatable engine driv en element for operating the contacts, of a pair of adjustable stops movable toward and from each other into fixed positions with reference to the. neutral position of said support,ran oscillatory member operated in a givenY direction upon i'novement of the e11- gine in one direction and reversely upon movement of the engine in the other direction, and a spring connection betiveen said member and the support which is put under tension to move the support into engagement with one of the stops when the memm ber is moved in one direction and to shift said support into engagement with the other stop upon movementof the member in the opposite direction.

6. ln a reversible internal combustion engine. the combination with an ignition system comprising a circuit having contacts1 a carrier for the contacts mounted for osoil latory movement and an engine driven element for closing the contacts, an oscillatory member moved in one direction upon move ment of the engine in one direction and in the other direction upon movement of the engine in a reverse direction, stops cooperating lwith the carrier and adjustable into fixed positions relatively to the neutral position of said carrier to limit its movement in opposite directions, and a yielding connect-ion between the carrier and the oscillatory memn ber for shifting the :former .from one stop to the other upon changes occurring in its direction of movement.

7. In a reversible internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder having a piston. and a valve, the combination with a shaft rotated by the engine and a cam sleeve rotated by the shaft and actuating the valve and movable longitudinally of the shaft when the direction of rotation of the engine is reversed, of an ignition system comprising;` a timer having a rotating part and an adjustable non-rotating part 'for advancing and retarding the spark, stops adjustable relatively to the neutral position of the last mentioned part for regulating the amount of spark advance, and connections between the cam sleeve and said member for moving it into engagement with one of said stops.

8. In a reversible internal combustion en gine comprisinga cylinder having a piston and valve, the combination with a shaft rotated by the engine and a cam sleeve rotated 'by the shaft and actuatingr the valve and movable longitudinally of the shaft by momentum when the direction of rotation of the engine is reversed., of an ignitionsystem comprising a timerhaving a rotating part and an oscillatory adjustable part'for advancing and retarding the spark, stops adjustable relatively to the neutral position of such oscillatory part for regulating the amount of spark advance. and` connections between the cam sleeve and said member for holdingr it in engagement With one of the stops when the engine is moving in one direction and for switching it into engagement with the other stop upon the longitudinal movement of said cam sleeve upon the reversal of the direction of engineinoveme'nt.

9. An internal combustion engine having jump spark ignition` comprising a intake valve and an exhaust valve, a shaft rotated ay the engine, means for reversing the direction of rotation of the shaft, a sleeve carried on the shaft, a cam on the sleeve for actuating the intake valve, a cam on the sleeve for actuating the exhaust valve, said member being movable longitudinally of the shaft, an electric timer having a member rotated by the shaft, a second timer member having a limited movement relatively to the first member and connections between the sleeve and said second member for timing the ignition irrespective of the direction of rotation of the shaft.

l0E An internal combustion engine having jump spark ignition, comprising an intake valve and an exhaust valve, a shaft rotated by the engine, means for reversing the direc-tion of rotation of the shaft, a sleeve car ried on the shaft, a cam on the sleeve for actuating the intake valve, a cam on the sleeve for actuatingf the exhaust valve, said member being movable longitudinally of the shaft, an electric timer having a member rotated by the shaft, a second timer member having a limited movement relatively to the first member, connections between the sleeve and said second member for advancing the spark irrespective of the direction of rotation of the shaft, and means for adjusting the degree lof advance alike for either direction ofrotation.

11, An internal combustion emginel having jump spark ignition, comprising an intake valve and an exhaust valve, a shaft rotated by the engine, means for reversing the direction of rotation of the shaft, a sleeve carried on the shaft, a cam on the sleeve for actuating the intake valve, a cam on the sleeve for actuating the exhaust valve, said member being movable longitudinally of thel shaft, an electric timer having a member rotated by the shaft, a second timer member having a limited movement relatively to ythe first member, connections between the sleeve and said second member for advancing or retarding the spark irrespective of the direction of rotation of the shaft, a pair of stops one on either side of a medial line, and means whereby movement of one of said stopsrelatively to the line will move the other stop an equal distance relativel to the medial line whereby movement o the one stop to limit the spark advance or ren tardation when the shaft is rotating in one direction will automatically set the other stop to give the same advance or retardation when the shaftrotates in the other direction.

l2. An internal combustion engine having jump spark ignition, comprising an intake valve and an exhaust valve, a shaft rotated by the engine, means for reversing the direction of rotation of the shaft, a sleeve carried on the shaft7 a cam on the sleeve for actuating the intake valve, a cam on the sleeve for actuating the exhaust valve, said member being movable longitudinallyof the v shaft, an electric timer having a member rotated by the shaft, a second timer member having a limited movement relatively to the first member, connections between the sleeve and said second member for advancing or retarding the spark irrespective of the direction of rotation of the shaft, a pair of stops one on either side of a medial line, means whereby movement of one of ysaid stops relatively to the line will move the other stop an equal distance relatively to the medial line whereby movement of the one stop to limit the spark advance or retardation when the shaft is rotating in one direction will automatically set the other stop to give the same advance or retardation when the shaft rotates in the other direction, and means for locking the stops in position.

13. An engine of the four stroke cycle type, having a shaft, a valve, means actuated by the shaft for actuating the valve,

said means being moved longitudinally, in

relation tov the shaft, by momentum, when the direction of rotation of the shaft is reversed, an electric timer having a rotating member and a nonaotating member, means for moving the non-*rotating member, in relation to the engine, such means being actuated by the longitudinal movement of the valve actuating means.

This specification signed this 24th day of August, 1925.

LEONARD H= DYER. 

